Easter Course 2015
Wednesday 8th April 2015 (11:00) – Friday 10th April 2015 (17:00)
Cambridge
Enjoy learning with expert tutors in Cambridge in the Springtime as our much appreciated Easter Course returns to this historic university city. We are based at Sidney Sussex College, home to a beautiful new organ by USA builders Taylor & Boody and will have access to many other fine organs in college chapels. Read on to find out all about the course. Scroll to the bottom of the page to access our on-line booking system.
TUITION STRANDS
Preparing for CertRCO
Preparing for ARCO
Preparing for FRCO
Repertoire & Skills
The exam strands (the first three listed above) provide both essential study for those entered for the July 2015 exam session and also an invaluable introduction to the exam requirements for those who sights are set further ahead. We can devise special timetables for those working for sections rather than the entire syllabus. Repertoire & Skills is for those already of diploma standard or equivalent who would like some intensive further study in selected repertoire areas (details below).
TUTORS
All tutors will teach all students across the four strands.
David Ponsford, early music expert, currently engaged in recording the French Classical repertoire on historic French organs and whose book French Organ Music in the Reign of Louis XIV is regarded as the standard work on the subject. He will coach Repertoire & Skills strand students in the performance of this music; will play a recital of it at Trinity College ; will coach CertRCO and FRCO students in this music for their respective written paper exams, and will work with ARCO students on the Historical Studies topic of Austria and South Germany 1648–1800.
Johannes Geffert, Professor of Organ and Improvisation at the State Conservatory for Music in Cologne and an internationally acclaimed recitalist. He will coach Repertoire & Skills strand students on German Romantic Organ Music from Mendelssohn to Reger; will help FRCO students with the set works, Mendelssohn’s Sonatas and the Allegro, Chorale and Fugue in D minor; and will play a recital (venue to be announced).
Sarah Baldock, renowned recitalist who, until recently, was Organist & Master of the Choristers at Chichester Cathedral . She will coach Repertoire & Skills strand students in the performance of music written since 1950 and will play a recital (venue to be announced).
WHAT TO PREPARE – Exam strands
Bring the pieces you are working on from the Exam Regulations lists (work in progress is acceptable)
Examples of your written work, especially harmony and counterpoint
A piece to play in the informal student concert on the last day of the course (this can be one of your exam pieces if you wish)
WHAT TO PREPARE – Repertoire & Skills
Several contrasting movements from the French Classical Repertoire.
One piece from each of the early, middle and later German Romantic Organ School, e.g. Mendelssohn, Schumann or Brahms, Reger.
At least one piece written since 1950.
A piece to play in the informal student concert on the last day of the course (drawn from the above repertoire)
ACCOMMODATION
We are resident at Sidney Sussex College in the heart of the City Centre. Non-resident students are welcome for whom lunch and dinner will be provided at Sidney Sussex. Accommodation is available in either comfortable, standard rooms (with wash basin but with shared WC and bathrooms) or in en-suite rooms. All meals, from lunch on 8 April to lunch on 10 April, are included in the course fee, as are morning and afternoon refreshments. You have the option to book extra Bed and Breakfast accommodation for Tuesday 7 April and/or Friday 10 April.
We regret that, owing to the terms and conditions of Sidney Sussex College we cannot accept residential bookings from those aged under 16 on 8 April 2015. We will also need written consent from a parent/guardian for non-resident attendance by under 18s.
Click here to email with any questions.
BURSARIES
We encourage applications for assistance with course fees. Click here for more information and to download the information sheet and application form. The deadline for receipt of applications is 1 February 2015.
COURSE FEES
(Fees include accommodation plus meals from lunch on Wednesday 8 April to lunch on Friday 10 April plus morning and afternoon refreshments. All prices include VAT)
RCO Member (standard room) £675
RCO Member (en-suite room) £705
RCO Member (non-resident) £540
Non-Member (standard room) £705
Non-Member (en-suite room) £735
Non-Member (non-resident) £560
You can also book extra nights Bed & Breakfast (B&B) for Tuesday 7 April and/or Friday 10 April at a cost of £68 (standard room)/£86 (en-suite room) per night.
Until 1 February you can pay a £50 deposit, the balance of fees becoming due immediately after this date. If booking after 1 February the full fees are due immediately. Those intending to apply for a bursary should pay the deposit only. They will be informed shortly after 1 February as to the outcome of their request for assistance.
If you have a problem with the on-line booking system please call RCO Bookings on 05603 488231.